ch. 9

Ch 9 109-121

Nick describes the loads of attention in the media that Gatsby's death received. Gatsby decides to hold a large scale funeral for Gatsby but realizes that many of his friends have disappeared or moved away. Nick finds out that Tom and Daisy have moved and he is unable to reach them. Mr. Gatz arrives to attend his son's funeral along with Owl Eyes, Nick, and some servants. Mr. Gatz talks about Gatsby's early life while showing him a book that contained a schedule Gatsby had made. Nick decides to move back to the Midwest while in the process breaking up with Jordan. One day Nick sees Tom in New York, who tells him that it was him who told Wilson that it was Gatsby's car and that he deserved to die. Nick reflects on life in the east and its hardships for westerners. On his last nigh Nick goes to Gatsby's house and reflects on the struggles that people endure to reach their dreams.

a. Mr. Gatz

b. "He had reached an age where death no longer has the quality of ghostly surprise and when he looked around him now for the first time and saw the height and splendor of the half and great rooms opening out from it into the other rooms, his grief began to be mixed with an awed sense of pride."

c.
Frail- " He was on the point of collapse"
Sad- "A solemn old man"
Proud- Carried around a picture of James' house, had pride for his son's success.
Appreciative- " ever since he made a success he was very generous with me."

d. Mr. Gatz represents the real Jay Gatsby. He is a living fragment of Gatsby's authentic life and represents reality. Gatz's role in the story is to represent the real Gatsby and to contrast the illusion. He is the only person i the novel who exemplifies a part of the roots Gatsby so desperately yearned to break from. Furthermore, his role in the novel is of one of the few characters wo truly care for Gatsby. Besides Nick Mr. Gatz loves his son not for his material wealth and the illusion he has created but for who he is as an authentic person. Mr. Gatz also represents America's lower class and how unlike the rich they do not only appreciate material wealth. Unlike the rich the poor as represented by Mr. Gatz care about people even after their wealth is dead.


"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made."

This quote represents the major theme of American wealth that the novel presents. In the novel Tom and Daisy represent the American wealthy class of the early 1900's. With this is mind this quote sums up Fitzgerald's opinion concerning America's wealthiest. This quote portrays a key message that attacks the wealthy and brings to light their selfish tendencies. This quote is significant because it summarizes a key message of the novel which is the exploitation of lower classes by America's wealthy people.